Hi All
This is the first time I have posted a blog here so I hope all goes well. We already know that ACT loves metaphors, ACT loves images and ACT loves stories. I believe that ACT also loves poetry. I love ACT and I write poetry so it seems natural that I should incorporate the two.
I have recently lauched a blog at actmadelyrical.com. It is a blog that includes ACT inspired poetry, commentary and other ACT goodies. I would love you to come and visit and leave feedback. ACT is so important. It is a therapy that has the potential to help so many and getting the message out to as many as possible is crucial isn't it, by whatever means possible.
Here in the UK, Mental Health has become the number one Disability Issue. The Government is increasingly aware that it has to do something radical to address it, not least because of the adverse economic impact that it is having on the Country's purse. ACT is one of the therapies of choice along with the more traditional CBT.
Sadly, the average wait time for counselling is measured in months rather than weeks, and so there is much suffering out there going unsupported. In many ways people are just going to have to help themselves, especially in these times of austerity.
One of the beauties of ACT is that it has the capacity to help people to help themselves. ACT, like its best friend Mindfulness, is at its core "Simple though not easy". There are many excellent ACT resources that can help people before, during and after therapy. I hope that the blog at actmadelyrical.com will become one of those resources. It is the main reason that I have lauched it.
Poetry has the power to cut through to the heart of the matter in a way that is not open to ordinary prose. It puts the heart back into therapy and has the capacity to evoke the heartfelt response that is so illuminating. It is no accident that Apollo was the dual God of Poetry and Medecine. The healing properties of poetry have been known about since ancient times. ACT lends itself to poetry as much as poetry lends itself to ACT. I hope you will come and visit and if you enjoy and find it helpful then pass it on.
I have tried to link to the blog directly but I can't get the link to work so I will leave you a sample from the latest post
ACT and the Value Driven Life
POEM FOR TODAY
PEBBLES IN THE STREAM
Throw a pebble in the stream and watch the ripples run,
That's what happens with an action, with a something that we've done,
It will have its repercussions, sometimes bad and sometimes good,
So if we are doing something let's do something that we should.
It may be a call to action is at times best left ignored
When we're feeling over anxious, over tired or just plain bored,
Or maybe we're indecisive, and it then can do harm
To withdraw for just a little 'til we start to feel more calm.
And the question to be asked is if next morning we'll be proud
Of an action that we've taken, and if not it's disallowed,
And if we're unsure of the answer let a value shed some light
On the act we're contemplating, and we'll soon know if it's right.
And so if we prize lovieng kindness let us get it in our head
That a sharp retort or petty jibe is better left unsaid,
And if we say independence is a treasure to pursue
Then we'll have to do the things that independent spirits do.
And the list is pretty endless, for all lives with values teem
And they'll always know which pebbles we shoud throw into the stream,
And although life may seem easier when values we ignore,
it is the value driven life that always sparkles more.
© Corinne Shields, 2015
I intend to update the blog regularly and am also writing a book entitled Fifty Shades of ACT Made Lyrical.
I look forward to staying in touch.
Warm regards to all.
Corinne Shields @ actmadelyrical.com.
PS Wish I could get the link to work. If you can help please let me know!!!